Camden Council has commissioned London Sustainability Exchange (LSx) to work with community groups and local residents to find out how and if they would like to become more actively involved in the future of Kilburn Grange Park.
LSx are holding three "Listening Sessions" in February and are inviting all members of the local community to share their views and opinions on the Park. The sessions will be:
Wednesday 13th February, 9.00 - 10.30am at Kingsgate Primary School
Wednesday 13th February, 6.30 - 8,00pm at Abbey Community Centre
Thursday 14th February, 1.30 - 3.00pm at Kingsgate Community Centre
A childcare service will be available at the daytime sessions and food will be provided.
The information will be used to inform a master plan for the Park and then then working with the local community to seek external funding.
There will be a £10 for attendance, but places are limited. To book a place contact Ali Lin at a.lin@lsx.org.uk or Tel: 020 7234 9406. The sessions are open to anybody living or working in the area.
Tuesday, 5 February 2013
Monday, 21 January 2013
Ward Councillors object to proposed land sale behind West Hampstead Library
Camden Council is proposing to sell the plot of land behind behind West Hampstead Library or housing (along with other small sites in the borough) to help to fund its Community Investment Programme. Local residents were consulted late last year, and although 77% of respondents objected to the proposal, it is planned to be presented for approval to Cabinet in February. Ward Councillors were asked for our comments last week and , having reviewed the objections and spoken to local residents, we have submitted the following concerns :
1) Cumulative Impact
This site is not included in the Site Allocation Document, the Placeshaping Plan nor is it part of the Growth Plan for West Hampstead and we are concerned about the further cumulative impact of such additional sites coming forward for development without a coherent plan for the area.
In June 2012, a nearby site on Iverson Road, which was also not in any local development plan, was bought by a speculative developer and planning permission granted for 36 new dwellings on a very small site that had previously been a garden centre.
We are concerned that the continued encroachment of residential development on infill sites will have an adverse impact on local services such as schools, health services, traffic, parking and transport, which are all already under stress.
2) Parking
The streets around the site suffer from extreme parking stress. The loss of secure parking on the site is causing real concern for the people who rent either garages or parking spaces, some of whom are elderly, work shift work for which a car is a necessity, or are local businesses. No indication has yet been offered of where alternative parking spaces might be provided
We are surprised that some of the spaces are currently not let, and question whether this is because they have not been marketed, or that the Council has stopped letting them in view of this proposed development, which is influencing this decision.
Furthermore the restrictions on parking on West End Lane and neighbouring streets has led to a significant downturn in trade for local shops due to the loss of business from customers from outside the area who no longer come because of the difficulty in parking. This has led to the closure of some businesses, a decline in daytime footfall deterring other retail businesses and a growth in cafes or restaurants serving a nighttime economy when parking restrictions are relaxed. The removal of 28 parking spaces is likely to exacerbate an already stressed situation.
It is naïve to believe that people will be discouraged from driving cars in London by restricting parking spaces. Many people and businesses rely on cars and other vehicles for personal mobility, employment and trade.
If anything, could the site be used to increase the number of off street parking spaces, or make it a Pay & Display public car park for visitors (of which there are none in the area) that would generate more income for the Council and boost local trade?
3) Housing
We question the suitability and viability of such a small and restricted site for additional housing and whether it would be attractive to any buyer. The site is bordered on two sides by Council flats in Dennington House and the surrounding streets are narrow with a high density of residents in multi-occupancy dwellings. The proposed mews development of an additional four flats would be detrimental to the quality of life and well being of residents living adjacent to or nearby and place additional burden on local amenities such as schools, health services and obviously parking, which are already under strain. Taking the surrounding area into account, we doubt that any new development would be permissible on planning grounds as it may have a cumulative effect in exceeding the London Plan upper density limits of 700 persons per hectare. The quality of the proposed new housing for any occupants is also questionable, being surrounded on three sides with obvious limitations on light, open space and privacy.
If housing were permitted, the only development we would support would be if the land were sold to a housing association for social housing. We would oppose the sale to speculative property developers for market units that could be sold to private landlords, thus contributing to the transient movement of population and stability of West Hampstead.
4) Alternative Uses for the Site
If the sale of the site was to proceed, we would favour the site to be used for small scale B1 commercial units for creative or technology businesses that would support the local economy and provide employment. There is a severe lack of small scale light industrial or office accommodation in the area.
Dynham Road
Although geographically outside our Ward, the impact of the sale of this site will adversely the residents of our Ward in Hemstal Road – who have already registered their objections - more than those in Kilburn Ward. We support their concerns regarding access to their properties and open space and light and have the same concerns about developing this site as those outlined in 1) and 3) above.
Twitter
1) Cumulative Impact
This site is not included in the Site Allocation Document, the Placeshaping Plan nor is it part of the Growth Plan for West Hampstead and we are concerned about the further cumulative impact of such additional sites coming forward for development without a coherent plan for the area.
In June 2012, a nearby site on Iverson Road, which was also not in any local development plan, was bought by a speculative developer and planning permission granted for 36 new dwellings on a very small site that had previously been a garden centre.
We are concerned that the continued encroachment of residential development on infill sites will have an adverse impact on local services such as schools, health services, traffic, parking and transport, which are all already under stress.
2) Parking
The streets around the site suffer from extreme parking stress. The loss of secure parking on the site is causing real concern for the people who rent either garages or parking spaces, some of whom are elderly, work shift work for which a car is a necessity, or are local businesses. No indication has yet been offered of where alternative parking spaces might be provided
We are surprised that some of the spaces are currently not let, and question whether this is because they have not been marketed, or that the Council has stopped letting them in view of this proposed development, which is influencing this decision.
Furthermore the restrictions on parking on West End Lane and neighbouring streets has led to a significant downturn in trade for local shops due to the loss of business from customers from outside the area who no longer come because of the difficulty in parking. This has led to the closure of some businesses, a decline in daytime footfall deterring other retail businesses and a growth in cafes or restaurants serving a nighttime economy when parking restrictions are relaxed. The removal of 28 parking spaces is likely to exacerbate an already stressed situation.
It is naïve to believe that people will be discouraged from driving cars in London by restricting parking spaces. Many people and businesses rely on cars and other vehicles for personal mobility, employment and trade.
If anything, could the site be used to increase the number of off street parking spaces, or make it a Pay & Display public car park for visitors (of which there are none in the area) that would generate more income for the Council and boost local trade?
3) Housing
We question the suitability and viability of such a small and restricted site for additional housing and whether it would be attractive to any buyer. The site is bordered on two sides by Council flats in Dennington House and the surrounding streets are narrow with a high density of residents in multi-occupancy dwellings. The proposed mews development of an additional four flats would be detrimental to the quality of life and well being of residents living adjacent to or nearby and place additional burden on local amenities such as schools, health services and obviously parking, which are already under strain. Taking the surrounding area into account, we doubt that any new development would be permissible on planning grounds as it may have a cumulative effect in exceeding the London Plan upper density limits of 700 persons per hectare. The quality of the proposed new housing for any occupants is also questionable, being surrounded on three sides with obvious limitations on light, open space and privacy.
If housing were permitted, the only development we would support would be if the land were sold to a housing association for social housing. We would oppose the sale to speculative property developers for market units that could be sold to private landlords, thus contributing to the transient movement of population and stability of West Hampstead.
4) Alternative Uses for the Site
If the sale of the site was to proceed, we would favour the site to be used for small scale B1 commercial units for creative or technology businesses that would support the local economy and provide employment. There is a severe lack of small scale light industrial or office accommodation in the area.
Dynham Road
Although geographically outside our Ward, the impact of the sale of this site will adversely the residents of our Ward in Hemstal Road – who have already registered their objections - more than those in Kilburn Ward. We support their concerns regarding access to their properties and open space and light and have the same concerns about developing this site as those outlined in 1) and 3) above.
Wednesday, 9 January 2013
Fraud Alert - Courier Scams
We have received reports that at least two elderly women in West Hampstead have been victims of attempted fraud during the Christmas period.
The Metropolitan Police Service has reissued its warning regarding “Courier Scams” that explains what happened, see below. This is a fraud that is mainly targeting the elderly and vulnerable in our communities. These scams are becoming increasingly prevalent across London and beyond.
Method
1. Elderly members of the public have been receiving unsolicited telephone calls from fraudsters purporting to be from the police or their bank.
2. A fraudster will ring a member of the public, claiming to be from their bank's security or the police, stating that their systems have spotted a fraudulent payment on their card or that their card is due to expire and needs to be replaced.
3. The person may be asked to ring the bank back using the phone number printed on the back of their bank card. This helps to convince the person that the call is genuine.
4. However, the fraudster has kept the telephone line open so even though the person has called the bank, the call does not go through. Instead they are unknowingly connected straight back to the fraudster.
5. The fraudster then gains the person’s trust by pretending to be from the bank and seeming to offer assistance. In many cases the person is asked to provide their full bank card details and key in their PIN so that their existing card can be “cancelled” and their new one "activated" or "authorised." The fraudster will then explain that the bank will need to collect the card.
6. The fraudster will then attend the person’s address or send an innocent courier company driver to collect the card and sometimes provide them with a “replacement” card which is subsequently found to be fake.
7. Therefore, the fraudster has obtained the person’s name, address, full bank details, the card itself and the PIN. The bank cards are then used fraudulently without the victim’s knowledge.
Variations
a. Fraudsters pretending to be from the police cold calling members of the public claiming to be from the Economic Crime Department and that the person’s bank account has been compromised by criminals. The fraudster suggests that the person should transfer their bank balance into a “safe” police account.
b. Fraudsters pretending to be from the police attending people’s addresses and retrieving the person’s card and PIN.
c. Members of the public receiving letters on bank headed paper informing them that their account has been the subject of a fraud. The letter advises them to transfer their funds to a “safe” account and that an official will be in contact to provide them with a new card and PIN.
d. Fraudsters contacting members of the public requesting them to cut their cards in half because their account has been compromised. They are then asked to post the cut card to an address where fraudsters simply tape the card together again and can use the details to commit fraud.
Prevention Advice
If you receive such a call end it immediately.
Please be aware of the following:
Your bank will never attend your home
Your bank and the police will never collect your bank card
Your bank and the police will never ask for your PIN
Reporting Advice
In an emergency dial 999.
In a non-emergency, report to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or contact your local police by dialling 101 and report the matter to your bank.
The Metropolitan Police Service has reissued its warning regarding “Courier Scams” that explains what happened, see below. This is a fraud that is mainly targeting the elderly and vulnerable in our communities. These scams are becoming increasingly prevalent across London and beyond.
Method
1. Elderly members of the public have been receiving unsolicited telephone calls from fraudsters purporting to be from the police or their bank.
2. A fraudster will ring a member of the public, claiming to be from their bank's security or the police, stating that their systems have spotted a fraudulent payment on their card or that their card is due to expire and needs to be replaced.
3. The person may be asked to ring the bank back using the phone number printed on the back of their bank card. This helps to convince the person that the call is genuine.
4. However, the fraudster has kept the telephone line open so even though the person has called the bank, the call does not go through. Instead they are unknowingly connected straight back to the fraudster.
5. The fraudster then gains the person’s trust by pretending to be from the bank and seeming to offer assistance. In many cases the person is asked to provide their full bank card details and key in their PIN so that their existing card can be “cancelled” and their new one "activated" or "authorised." The fraudster will then explain that the bank will need to collect the card.
6. The fraudster will then attend the person’s address or send an innocent courier company driver to collect the card and sometimes provide them with a “replacement” card which is subsequently found to be fake.
7. Therefore, the fraudster has obtained the person’s name, address, full bank details, the card itself and the PIN. The bank cards are then used fraudulently without the victim’s knowledge.
Variations
a. Fraudsters pretending to be from the police cold calling members of the public claiming to be from the Economic Crime Department and that the person’s bank account has been compromised by criminals. The fraudster suggests that the person should transfer their bank balance into a “safe” police account.
b. Fraudsters pretending to be from the police attending people’s addresses and retrieving the person’s card and PIN.
c. Members of the public receiving letters on bank headed paper informing them that their account has been the subject of a fraud. The letter advises them to transfer their funds to a “safe” account and that an official will be in contact to provide them with a new card and PIN.
d. Fraudsters contacting members of the public requesting them to cut their cards in half because their account has been compromised. They are then asked to post the cut card to an address where fraudsters simply tape the card together again and can use the details to commit fraud.
Prevention Advice
If you receive such a call end it immediately.
Please be aware of the following:
Your bank will never attend your home
Your bank and the police will never collect your bank card
Your bank and the police will never ask for your PIN
Reporting Advice
In an emergency dial 999.
In a non-emergency, report to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or contact your local police by dialling 101 and report the matter to your bank.
Thursday, 20 December 2012
Sherriff Road Improvement
"Thank you for your enquiry dated 06/12/12 regarding the issue of certain vehicles travelling the wrong way along Sherriff Road, even though the “no entry” signs are in place. A Design Engineer in my team has investigated this junction and has agreed with your suggestion of adding arrows on the road indicating left and right turning lanes from Sherriff Road into West End Lane. This should make drivers aware that the road is one way out of the Sherriff Road. In addition, one of the “no entry” sign needs to be turned slightly so that it is visible to drivers approaching from either direction along West End Lane.Following up a suggestion from a local resident I received a message from a Camden Council highway engineer to day.
The above measures have been drawn up and passed to our Engineering Service to be implemented. I hope once the additional arrows are in place drivers will be more aware that the road is one way hence compliance will increase. Please do let me know if this is still an issue once the works are completed."
Let's hope this does the trick to make this junction safer.
Thursday, 13 December 2012
Legible London Comes to West Hampstead
Residents may have noticed the installation of Legible London panels along West End Lane. The panels, installed by TfL, provide maps and directions to landmarks and streets within the local area. There are currently 5 boards on West End Lane: at the junction with Mill Lane, junction with Dennington Park Road outside the Library, two outside the Thameslink station on Iverson Road and at the junction with Hemstal Road. Two more panels are due to be installed shortly, one near the entrance to the Thameslink station on West End Lane and one on the corner of Blackburn Road.
Earlier this year, your Ward Councillors highlighted the need for improved signage around the Interchange for visitors to the area, especially with the new entrance to the Thameslink station in Iverson Road and the anticipated extra traffic during the Olympics.
We hope the boards will prove a useful facility in the area but would welcome feedback from residents.
Earlier this year, your Ward Councillors highlighted the need for improved signage around the Interchange for visitors to the area, especially with the new entrance to the Thameslink station in Iverson Road and the anticipated extra traffic during the Olympics.
We hope the boards will prove a useful facility in the area but would welcome feedback from residents.
Monday, 10 December 2012
Camden's Local List
Camden Council is producing a Local List to identify the buildings and features that residents value and so contribute to the character of their local area. Being on Camden’s Local List will not mean that these buildings and features are ‘listed’ in the statutory sense but by being locally listed it will help ensure that the significance of each feature is taken into account as part of the planning application process. As of 22 November you can nominate the local features which carry history, traditions, stories and memories into the present day and so make your local area special. This consultation will run until 21st January, 2013 so start nominating!
For further infortmation go to www.camden.gov.uk/locallist
For further infortmation go to www.camden.gov.uk/locallist
More business space needed
What is Camden Council doing to help new business around West Hampstead? Empty retail and business units have been allowed to stay empty for years, enquiries are rebuffed, premises are not marketed and then put up for auction. The former Housing Office on West End Lane is likely to stay empty for a year and the only dedicated industrial site on Liddell Road is being earmarked for a new school and housing. There is a woeful lack of available business premises in the area and units and sites are still being allowed to change from commercial to residential use. Residents moan about the poor range retail offerings in West End Lane but this will not change until the area supports more businesses and employment that will boost the weekday trading.
Over the past year several local entrepreneurs have sought my help to locate suitable business premises in West Hampstead and I am told that all enquiries about Camden properties get nowhere. Premises are advertised on the Camden website for many months but are not available to view. I have asked the Council for help to secure temporary tenants in the retail units currently being vacated on the 187-199 West End Lane site, to prevent the area to becoming blighted prior to development, but resources are not available.
Why does the Council allow buildings to remain empty and not allow tenants to pay rent and business rents to generate income for the Council to support local services? Other boroughs have innovative schemes to boost small business and support local entrepreneurs so why cannot Camden do the same? The new West Hampstead Farmers Market has sparked much new interest from local entrepreneurs so there is definite commitment to start businesses but affordable premises are needed to do so. We have a Labour Administration that cannot be bothered to manage its assets to generate income and appears as inept as the last Labour Government in managing its economy. Whilst it takes the easy option of mothballing and then selling off every available site, the local business community and entrepreneurial spirit that could boost the local economy and create jobs, is being neglected.
Over the past year several local entrepreneurs have sought my help to locate suitable business premises in West Hampstead and I am told that all enquiries about Camden properties get nowhere. Premises are advertised on the Camden website for many months but are not available to view. I have asked the Council for help to secure temporary tenants in the retail units currently being vacated on the 187-199 West End Lane site, to prevent the area to becoming blighted prior to development, but resources are not available.
Why does the Council allow buildings to remain empty and not allow tenants to pay rent and business rents to generate income for the Council to support local services? Other boroughs have innovative schemes to boost small business and support local entrepreneurs so why cannot Camden do the same? The new West Hampstead Farmers Market has sparked much new interest from local entrepreneurs so there is definite commitment to start businesses but affordable premises are needed to do so. We have a Labour Administration that cannot be bothered to manage its assets to generate income and appears as inept as the last Labour Government in managing its economy. Whilst it takes the easy option of mothballing and then selling off every available site, the local business community and entrepreneurial spirit that could boost the local economy and create jobs, is being neglected.
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